Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)
I have been taking Effexor/Venlafaxine for years and tried to get off it a few times but each time I try to give up the chemical withdrawal symptoms are a horror story and I give up giving up. Anyone got any tips or tried and tested strategies? Thank you
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Hello @dixiesister, and welcome to Connect.
Speaking from experience, unfortunately high blood pressure or hypertension is one of the possible side effects with long-term use of Effexor. But more concerning is that you “Do not stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. This will decrease the chance of side effects, such as agitation, confusion, headache, irritability, numbness or tingling feeling, restlessness, trouble sleeping, or unusual drowsiness or weakness.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/venlafaxine-oral-route/precautions/drg-20067379
I’d like to invite @nanke99 @richyrich @cathy615 @hayleesmommy @bekinprogress @careth2 @linxy @elecia87 @lolita9 @salela, and others in this group to share their thoughts and insights as well.
@dixiesister, would you be able to share some more details? For how long have you been taking Effexor? May I ask why you decided to stop? We look forward to getting to know you.
@kanaazpereira thank you for responding. Today I thought I was having a heart attack. I was so hot that I had one bag of ice tied on the back of my head and one on the bottoms of feet. B/p of 144/100 scared the hell out of me. The excessive crying really upsets me because I hate to cry for any reason. I’ve been on Effexor for 10+ years. I’m wanting off for Religious reasons. Once I found Yahweh (God) and read more of the scripture I found out he doesn’t want us to use anything that doesn’t grow in nature. When I read where that other person on here said that getting off Effexor was worse then trying to get off heroin it scared me.. but reading others made me realize it’s going to take longer than I thought. Thanks again for replying now I know since i aready take meds for my b/p.. I need to go have my b/p checked more often.
@dixiesister – Where did you read that we should only what is found in nature?
Curious to know.
Jim
now down to 37.5 mg but cant seem to go lower. I have found a compounding chemist who will make capsules in any lower dose so going to try that with a slower withdrawal.
@wendyw – Are you going to be changing to another antidepressant?
Jim
my son has weaned himself down to 37.5 mg of Effexor but the side affects are terrible when he tries to cut that out. He has now gone to a compounding chemist who will make it in lower dosages in a slow release capsule. He says the times he has come off Zoloft were a breeze for him compared to Effexor. Everyone reacts differently.
This is actually for my 40 year old son. He has been on several medications for anxiety over many years. His new psychiatrist said it was time to stop the Effexor as after this time it wouldn’t be doing much so he reduced dosage by half every 2 weeks. The last 37.5 mg has proven impossible to stop with severe side effects. Hence trying the compounding pharmacy. They are making some half strength but can make any strength in a slow release capsule. I think he will wait until he sees how he is with nothing. He has developed severe kidney stones since being on Effexor and I have read this can possibly be a symptom so at this point he just wants to be drug free and if necessary start with something without the side effects he has been having.
@wendyw – Has your son discussed overlapping the stopping of Effexor and starting the new antidepressant? For many people, this greatly reduces the withdrawal symptoms. My doctor had me taper off Effexor at the same time as beginning Wellbutrin, and I don’t remember having any problems. Obviously, this varies greatly from one person to another.
Jim
Thanks Jim, that would probably be a good idea but he’s been on different meds for so long he wants to try without and see where he’s at.
@wendyw – I’m kind of at the same place. I’m going to talk to the neurologist on Tuesday about tapering off morphine and revisiting some of the neuropathy meds I’ve tried in the past, and see if any of them would help with the pain. The spinal cord stimulator has helped a lot, but it doesn’t do the whole job, especially if I’m on my feet for very long. Someone said that they had such a hard time getting off Effexor that they tapered on to another med temporarily while going off Effexor. Then they tapered off the other med, which didn’t have such severe withdrawal. I thought that sounded like a good solution.
Jim
Best wishes Jim. ATM my son is in the frame that he just wants to stop everything in case it’s causing his side effects
Been trying to get off Effexor XL for a few weeks now. I was up to over 300 mgs. The brain zaps are terrible. The reason I want off so bad is the sweating. I’m constantly wiping my face all the time, and take showers to cool off. I weaned down to 75mgs, and then every other day. I just can’t do it. My ears ring, zaps all the time in my brain Daily, almost constant. I just took a 150mg to help me calm down. This is nuts!